The Church Universal
Here in Britain our Bank Holiday is upon us and in America Labour Day will soon follow. For many it’s our reminder that summer is drawing to a close. And for each of us there certainly will be many enduring memories; gatherings of friends and family, open air concerts, the Proms, sporting events, even demonstrations and marches; or possibly crowds of people on beaches enjoying themselves.The Bible has some notable crowd scenes and it's interesting to see what the biblical authors make of them. In this reading from Acts, (Acts 2:4-8) people have gathered from all over the world for the Jewish religious holiday of Pentecost. What they witness is the birth of the Christian church.
Now there were staying in Jerusalem devout Jews drawn from every nation under Heaven. At this sound, a crowd of them gathered and were bewildered because each one heard his own language spoken. They were amazed and in astonishment exclaimed: ‘Surely these people who are speaking are all Galileans. How is it that each of us can hear them in his own native language?’
Peter stood up with the eleven and in a loud voice addressed the crowd: 'This is what the prophet Joel spoke of: In the last days says God, I will pour out my spirit on all mankind. And your sons and daughters shall prophesy; your young men shall see visions and your old men shall dream dreams. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord on that day shall be saved.’
For the author Luke, one of the really important things about the church is that it is indeed universal and not just some local organisation. Luke describes the birth of Jesus as taking place when all the world was gathered to be taxed; And now his picture of the church is like a United Nations meeting with simultaneous translation: a place to celebrate what we all hold, and look forward to with common purpose.
Now there were staying in Jerusalem devout Jews drawn from every nation under Heaven. At this sound, a crowd of them gathered and were bewildered because each one heard his own language spoken. They were amazed and in astonishment exclaimed: ‘Surely these people who are speaking are all Galileans. How is it that each of us can hear them in his own native language?’
Peter stood up with the eleven and in a loud voice addressed the crowd: 'This is what the prophet Joel spoke of: In the last days says God, I will pour out my spirit on all mankind. And your sons and daughters shall prophesy; your young men shall see visions and your old men shall dream dreams. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord on that day shall be saved.’
For the author Luke, one of the really important things about the church is that it is indeed universal and not just some local organisation. Luke describes the birth of Jesus as taking place when all the world was gathered to be taxed; And now his picture of the church is like a United Nations meeting with simultaneous translation: a place to celebrate what we all hold, and look forward to with common purpose.
Whatever church you may attend, whatever 'flavour' you may claim as your own, remember - we are all His children.
Lord of all our days, help us to appreciate the diversity of people and languages in our society and to see that as something to celebrate. May we and all Your people honour what unites us and share a common hope for the future of Your world. We pray through Christ our Lord. Amen
Labels: AIC, Anglican Independent Communion, bringing churches together, churches divided, division in the Anglican Communion, Episcopal church division, Gene Robinson, manipulative clergy
posted by Father Bill Haymaker @ 11:58
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